Tour de Fleece - stage 7

Tour de Fleece - stage 6

Tour de Fleece - stage 5

Tour de Fleece - stage 4

Tour de Fleece - Stage 3

Tour de Fleece - stage 1

Utrecht - Utrecht

Tour de Fleece - stage 2

Utrecht - Neeltje Jans

Love Your Blog - Gratitude, or the second episode

Obviously, I gone an' done it again!
There's a second podcast for you to enjoy or cringe at, whichever, it's a thing that I did.

Again apologies for the sound quality, but my poor time management skills mean that I'm not in  a position to learn a new piece of software with accompanying skillset tonight. Sorry, not sorry.





Some useful links:
#Hapalong by KnitBritish

Aestlight by Gudrun Johnston

Mama Vertebrae by Kelly Brooker

And then of course I remembered, the Book Club Book!

Mayhem by Sarah Pinsborough  was discussed and ended up with a score like most others. We score strategically, helping a book along if we like it. It was generally enjoyed, even if *some* had some issues with the language. I didn't and the setting appeals to me, as well as the detective story part of the storyline. More please!
(Oh, it's using a number of really happened for real murders around the time of Jack the Ripper's A Bit More Than 15 Minutes of Fame. Mix in a bit of the supernatural, an unlikely love interest, a dr. Bond and a bit of opium, and there you have it, a book that I've finished reading!)

I'll keep you informed of the next one, The Godless, by Ben Peek. It has a lot of pages that one....

Love,
J

Love Your Blog - Mothers Who Stare at Goats, or a short tale of a wonky inner eye

This week's prompt (or last week's, but this one had to percolate for a while) is Ugly. It didn't seem like a subject I wanted to talk out loud about, so you'll have to read this one for yourself. Sorry, not sorry.

So, Ugly. Like beauty, you can find it in the eye of the beholder. I try not to behold a lot of ugly in my eye as beauty is so much easier on it.. Frankly, I reserve the ugly for inward looking* which means it's confession time. 

Hello, my name is J, I'm 36 and I carry around a lot of self-loathing, disappointment and very little hope. I keep all of this in a tightly sealed container, so you don't have to fear contamination (much). Periodically the seal breaks and if other life challenges coincide, the lid flies clean off, carrying me along in a downward spiral**. It's not a pretty sight, in fact, it does get quite ugly. On the inside, of course.*** 

I know I'm not the only one who suffers from a Wonky Inner Eye. Lots of otherwise lovely people have written about it. Some have trouble getting the lid back on, while others are working very hard on emptying the container. 

Me?

I'm working on it. When WIE takes over completely****, I stare at Goat Boy***** and start a podcast. 

That's enough for now, I'm not ready nor willing to delve any deeper. You deserve better. I have tea and thoughts of gin that need my full attention. Next week will be better, promise.

Love, 

J

*don't try this at home
**nothing at all like a "WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE slide" whatsoever. Unfortunately.
***unless you find yourself very close, you might never notice, which is exactly how I'd like it to remain, above all, one must be liked.
****hormones are a bitch. get out of my brain tyvm.
*****not his actual name

Love Your Blog - Beginnings

This Blog has always been about Beginnings. New adventures, new hobbies, new projects. I begin stuff *all the time* of which my pile of WIP's is really all the proof you need. So for this one, I thought I'd try a new thing altogether.

Oh yes, I did it. I apologize for the questionable quality of the sound. I've just recorded on the phone and not done any editing. Life, short, etc. I do hope you enjoy it, please let me know!

With special thanks to all the ladies (and gents) who went before me, and have been such pleasures to listen to. I can only aspire to stand in your shade.

Links of interest:

Ripples Crafts (also check out her blog for stunning images of Assynt)
https://www.ripplescrafts.com/

Dutch Wool Diva (who just started a vlog, Dutch only, I'm afraid. Good excuse to learn a new language?)
http://www.dutchwooldiva.nl/store/

Lattes and Literature (Books, games, coffee and cake. It only needs yarn to be perfect)
http://www.lattesandliterature.com/

Please to enjoy!


Love, J

Love Your Blog - A Challenge

I just fell off the limited-carb wagon. I'm doing it right, it's a brownie pudding, with real bits of cookie* because it's just not on to fall off over something insignificant. I'm eating it from the bowl it came in with a teaspoon. I can stop any time I like, but for now, I don't really want to. For one, holding on to that spoon is keeping me from writing a lot which is something I've been avoiding.

So thanks, APlayfulDay, for taking the spoon out of my hand, thanks a lot. Love Your Blog? That is a challenge. Can you love a thing you've been avoiding? We'll have to see. The Spoon is Down**

Interactions and Community

Let's take that subject away from the blog. As much as I love all of you individual readers of this blog, Interaction and Community has never ever been a strong point, or even a point at all to this blog. Starting out as a readalong to my adventures (I went to the USA), musings on what now seems silly and insignificant***

(Dad walked in from dinner out and immediately started "testing" the pudding, repeatedly)

to a record of my crafty adventures, it's those crafty adventures that have lead to Interactions, and Community. And then there was the Bubs, and with him the interrupted nights and the eventual return to 32+ hours at the mind-numbing work and before you know it, 2 years have passed and hardly a peep on the blog. Sorry.

Not sorry. I just erased a long paragraph about exactly why the blog has been so quiet. Being a soloMUM and longdistanceWIFE most of the time, struggling employee for too large a part of every week leaves little room to be wordy about being crafty. So there. I invite you to keep up by medium of Twitter and Instagram, if you so wish. Fewer words, easier postage, doable.

Coincidentally (not really) that's where most of my interactions take place. It even leads to a sense of community, in my own twisted way. Without once buying a thing from Helen, it was through Twitter that I ended up on her retreat, as a last solo-trip**** to Scotland before the arrival of the Bubs. If you've paid lots of attention, you'll know it was her that gave the Bubs its nickname. There's a special bond if ever you went looking for one. It was the desire to hug her in real life that took me on my first, uncomfortable outing, once again to Scotland, by my single lonely self.

By Gods, that's rough, isn't it? Pretty much all of the trip would make a good tragicomedy (from a rebooting phone not playing alarm clock by way of a middle-of-the-night false fire alarm cutting a much needed sleep in a Bubs and Husband-free environment short in its infancy to airport security insanity induced running in knitwear)***** but the worst bit was being away and not being entirely comfortable with that at all. But I did it, and boy did I get a reward!
Not only did I get to give Helen an (almost but not quite awkwardly) long hug, I also got to meet her friends Lizzie and Dorothy and be known as the heavily pregnant lady who climbed up a hill only to announce having a slight fear of heights. It was delightful to re-meet Louise and newly meet her mother, and the other Louise who clearly understands the importance of a large piece of chocolate cake. I watched Shiny and spotted Sparkly, admired Devine doing her thing. I hugged Bookish, who is much further along in being smart and clever and surprised me by even knowing who I am at all to begin with. And then there was tea with Isobel and a chat with Fiona and a second with Kath and one with Stevan. I got a sock knitting tip from Mel whom I only knew from pattern pictures and found out that John loves going to Utrecht where I once went to uni. (edit: Also Suuf and her sister(s) and probably a lot more people I'm currently forgetting)

It was lovely and inclusive and for a good while I wasn't on the outside looking in. And when I wasn't I was Woolly'ing it outside looking out. Or running around awkwardly like an indecisive headless chicken spotting other people's children. It was amazing and awful and next time there will be more gin****** and photographs*******. And possibly a little more yarn-buying. Bugger that exchange rate...

Proof I was there

Interactions and Community? Yes, I can do that for a day. The rest of the days I'm getting more comfortable with not being an actual part part of it. Outside looking out, taking it day by day and grabbing a moment or two when they pop up even if they are few and far between. It's nice to know it's out there though, waiting.

x
J




*mmmmMona toetje
**it's in my tea, where it belongs, alright?
***this is encouraging. They appeared big at the time, mayhaps the current struggles will turn into mouse-sized items over time, ha!
****that's no longer true
*****you should've been there. It was "great"
******there was none
*******there are a few

076knits: Kille

If you've been reading the blog, you might have seen the pictures. I can't get enough of Bubs running around and doing anything but standing still to have his picture taken.

It all started when Bubs had only just joined us. I wanted to knit something for me, instead of the pile of baby knits that had gone before. I had a really (really) nice skein of Ripples Crafts Assynt Storms, a circular needle, and a naptime to gather my sanity before the next round of nursing, nappies and cramps. A new mom needs a bit of pampering, and that hank of yarn was just the trick.

One thing led to another (ever so slowly) and with help from two lovely professionals (hello Dutch Wool Diva and Yarn and Pointy Sticks) I can now present you my first ever pattern, Kille

Kille is a cowl with lots of nice and easy stitches, not a lot of counting and lots of pretty colours if you pick your yarn carefully. The sample shown is a new colourway by Dutch Wool Diva, Strolling through the Woods, and it's perfect for matching the Autumn colours out there right now. The sturdy Sock Star is perfect for sharing the cowl with your little one, especially when they like chewing on your knitwear, and soft enough to be worn against the skin. If you don't have a little one or like to live dangerously, go wild with your yarn choices! Be careful though, changing the gauge means changing your yardage! The pattern is carefully tech edited, but if you find a problem, please let me know!

You can wear Kille inside out and upside down, but not twice around your head.*
You can even try it on your other person, but I would keep it. It's a selfish treat, remember?

You have to knit it first, and you can do so after going right here: buy now (you don't have to be a member)


Love,
J



*definitely not twice around a little head so that pulling on it doesn't pull it tight

RSVP: Otherwise Engaged

You might be confused about what I've been doing for the past two years, if all you had to go by were my most recent purchases....

As a matter of fact, I've not touched dear neglected Bea in two years. I've spindled a whopping 50 grams of adorable fluff since the beginning of the year.

There's no rational reason to purchase these, or is there? Well, Juno Fibre Arts appears to end business soon, if not already. Catch it while you can, that's what I say.

This one contains camel. Camel fluff. You heard it. Camel in this fluff. It's for research and learning purposes. 

There'll be no irrational spending here!

PS. Exciting times ahead. Soon, soon!

On getting things done (with Little Spare Time)

So I finished another thing, this time including buttons! Lovely quiet day of nothing and a bit of knitting. As you can see, Bubs was in a hurry to get things done though! 

The pattern is Little Spare Time by Terry Kruse (link to Ravelry) and the yarn is Cascade Elysian which I purchased in a Tardis slash home-away-from-home and not-quite-Local Yarn Shop called Fibre Circle in Farmersville, Texas. Buttons, a shawl collar and pockets, this pattern has it all. It was a quick knit, a lovely pattern and I really recommend it. Bubs decided he needed to wear it and wouldn't stand still for a picture just in case I'd take it from him...

Nanowrimo, Nanoswemo, Movember, Wovember, Whateverember you wanna call it

It's all about the challenges, isn't it? Getting things done, without looking back or forwards too much. I sent a thingy to my wonderful tech editor. I'm working on being proud of that. Gimme a minute ;)

In the mean time, I knit a hat! It just needs buttons, and I have those ready to be put on. Just, you know, need to do it. Pattern is Lexie by Woolly Wormhead, Yarn is Warm Hearted Aran by  Helen of Ripplescrafts, colourway Carnations. 

Sneaky sneaky... on how to get to where you want to be taking baby steps in secret

I never imagined that writing would be the most difficult thing to get back to after the fog of sleep deprivation lifted. Mind you, that fog lingered like nobody's business and it doesn't need much encouraging to return.

It's not wonder that the Big Plan was put into hibernation for a while, at least that's how it would seem. In the very early hours of sleep deprivation (otherwise known as the beginning of motherhood) I was in desperate need of some comfort knitting.

Fortunately, I had some one-of-a-kind hand dyed sock yarn on hand and no idea what to do with it.

You can always knit a pair of socks. You can, but no new mom should be forced to make 2 of a thing, not unless she really wants to. It can be a struggle to juggle a tiny little babe, no less than 4 tiny little dpns or a tiny little circular needle for magic looping, a ball of yarn as well as keeping track of where your sanity disappeared to. And then have to repeat the process because not many people only need one sock. Trust me on this.

There isn't a bag hidden away with two different socks and 2 balls of yarn in it. (It's in plain sight, mocking me and my cold feet)

So what to knit?

It had to be a luxury item compatible with grabby hands and unfortunate spillage. Luckily, I had some gorgeous yarn at hand that's also easy to wash.

And that, as they say, was only the beginning. The Big Plan?

Baby, it's on...

5KCBWDAY2 Dating Profile

Introduction
Hello you! I'm Tomten V, fifth in line of a strong family. Over the generations, we've become bolder and I'm considered the largest of my line. Even though I'm considered to be a classic, my colourful appearance and plethora of Snoopy buttons show off my playful character. Made of the softest baby merino, I will keep you warm and cosy but I won't make a fuss if you spill something on me. I'm a practical guy and that's what washing machines are made for.

 I love going for long or short walks on the beach, driving around on narrow mountain roads and playing outside. Just slip me on and we're ready to go!

Dislikes
I'm not a great fan of rubbing against myself or other items of clothing as that is likely to make me pill. Sharp pointy things will pull my stitches out of proportion and I'll need you to mend that. Best avoided, don't you think? I think my buttons are the cream on the cake when it comes to my looks, but boy is it stressful to button them all up when I'm keeping a Little One warm. Sometimes there are unexplained knots or breakages in my yarn. I do my best to hide them, they do so distract from my appearance. Cover me up in heavy rain or I'll never regain my shape and if you intend to bring me moths, you better think again.

The Future
I'm certain I'll be around and about next autumn. My current Little One is a slight of a thing, so I'm not worried about that. I hope to hand this Little One on to one of my descendants, and for me to keep another Little One warm some day. As long as I'm cared for properly I can last a long time so I'll be around if you're looking for me!

5KCBWDAY1 A Day In The Life

Oh, hello....

There's a little bit of an echo in here. Please ignore the dust bunnies, I have no idea what Judith's been up to in the last months. I assume she'll tell you she's been busy or tired, or both. 

By the way, she hasn't completely lost the plot (yet). It's the annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, organised by Eskimimi. Today's brilliant idea was this: Describe a day in the life of a project that you have made or are in the process of making. It's nice to get a word in, let me tell you (she doesn't shut up). 

I'm her newest cast on, a bit of a comfort thing, just like when she bought me from Helen because I was the best of the lot. I've got so many lovely colours you wouldn't believe it. Caked up I'm even more impressive than in the skein! 

She's getting on nicely though, for someone who's always busy thinking how busy she feels, if you get what I mean. She's even thought up a name for what I'm supposed to be so from now on you can call me All cowlkerchief. I know. I told her that's not a word, and it's quite embarrassing when I hang out with the unfinished cardigans and socks. They have a proper name and a given name, but I'm just the cowlkerchief. 

It's a good thing I'm this gorgeous or I'd get a complex from that name thing. Check out those ripples! Those daisy stitches! The colours (that are awfully bleak in these pictures, I do apologize)!

I'm supposed to be part of a selection of nice things for mums (or not mums) which can deal with tiny tots or other challenges and still look pretty. I'm one of those specials skeins you only have one of in your stash, too pretty to hide in shoes, but sturdy enough to survive daily life in a situation that doesn't appreciate the most luxurious of yarns. Maybe, one day, Judith'll get around to writing us down. You know, what she's been planning for years. Until that time I'll just sit here and look pretty.

It's nice to see something new here, however silly it may seem. Who knows where it leads... Thanks for stopping by!

4 plus 18 equals #yarnpadc

You'll have to excuse the rather crappy pictures today. I don't get hours and hours of daylight when I get home, and there's someone more needy of my attention than these pictures when I do finally get home after work.

Stitching!
Speaking of needy, Bubs does need more trousers, so I made him a few. I started on these Big Butt Baby Pants while Stateside and they've remained nearly finished ever since (notice a trend?). I've been hand stitching them as that's just easier to do when traveling. I love my (mother's) sewing machine, just not enough to drag it around on a trolly across an ocean. I really just need to sit down and sew them on the machine. Just a little hemming to do, a couple of buttons to hold the elastic buttonhole waistband in place and I can strike another project off the unfinished list.

Guilty Pleasure....

I'm afraid I keep repeating myself. It's another skein of Ripples Crafts from the Assynt Storms range (gorgeous one-of-a-kind (OOAK, duh (note to self, that's what it means, please do remember for once)) Reliable Sock).

Technically, I don't exactly need more sock yarn. But, you know, the Precious!!!!

#yarnpadc, day 17 and day 3.

Beverages and Blue. Not something I want to combine on most days. 

As today was another challenge to my sanity, I figured I deserved a hot Nesquik with a cheeky head of whipped cream. Served in my special Shakespeare Swearing Mug. It really has been one of those days...

Blue is the colour of one of my current in-love-with yarns. It's called Stormy Sea (Formerly known as Brave Lads and Lasses) and you can get it from Helen right here. She has it in a few different yarn weights, so there's no excuse. Go get some!

I'm knitting a few kilt socks out of 2 skeins. Size giant and size tiny. Guess which size this is...